Caring for someone on chemo

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Hi.
We’re soon to have a family member come and stay with us while they have chemo. They were living alone and quite isolated, so although we’re a bit short on space and have just the 1 bathroom, we’ll try and make it work. Just wondering, if you have been/are going through this if there is anything that you have found particularly helpful/useful to have around, make you comfortable, etc. Thanks.

I had chemo just prior to the pandemic so the extra hygiene and infection awareness were already in place.
Chemo varies. I had weekly sessions but some have it 3 weekly.
The 3 weekly ones do give a little chance to feel better in between.
I found it helped to have a comfortable chair with a table next to me where I could stay all day on bad days.
Chemo often causes horrible diarrhoea or vomiting or constipation. They will be given drugs to manage these but you may want to think about the bathroom- plenty of flannels / wipes / towels.
There are often lots of other drugs given such as dexamethasone which can have side effects such as increased appetite and insomnia.

Great. Thank you. I think he’ll be having it every 3 weeks. That’s helpful - I’ll get more towels maybe. I hope you’re feeling better now, or getting there.

IME the few days after chemo -day 3,4,5- are the worst in terms of diarrhoea (vomiting was well managed with meds) so the loo cleaning up will be the issue. Other than that, having a bedroom to retreat to for naps and tests had been my priority.

Thank you. That’s helpful.

The big one he hygiene, particularly food hygiene. Wash everything and cook thoroughly. If you’re using a teatowel to dry plates they’ll use, make sure it’s 100% clean.

Different people are affected differently, so it will be difficult to predict.

Mouth changes make it really difficult to eat - just be prepared to cook them different meals from everyone else. I have days when I can only eat pasta, yoghurt or very simple soup for example.

I had big temperature fluctuations, so a couple of lightweight wraps or throws are handy.
Frozen pineapple was lovely to suck with a sore mouth.
My tastes changed very frequently so don’t overstock if he asks for something - by the time you buy it, he may have gone off it.
Depends on the drugs used, but salt water ( 1tsp salt/ pint water) was good for rinsing my mouth.

That’s great. Thank you all for your replies and ideas. I hope you are all doing ok with your treatment. X

I am just about to start chemo and what nurses have told me is firstly get a digital thermometer and take temp twice a day, if its out of the specified range call the 24/7 line immediately. Encourage them to call the helpline if they are unwell, if you call its much less likely anything serious will happen, they said its when people wait and don't want to bother anyone people can get very ill.

With things like sickness and diarrhoea let the hospital know they have lots of different meds available and another one may work better. If they are likely to lose their hair (e.g breast cancer treatment) then something to cover their head if they want it and have not got anything.

My dentist said to get in touch before starting as dental issues are very common and can be serious and they can give a prescription for things like higher fluoride toothpaste and something to stop mouth getting dry to protect it.

Sometimes taste can go but I think the main thing is just having someone around and maybe ask them about symptoms and see from that. This article looked quite good for breast cancer chemo, obviously will vary by chemo and cancer but may give some ideas.

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-10455037/Ex-breast-cancer-surgeon-LIZ-ORIORDAN-reveals-coped-chemo-diagnosis.html

There are some charities that provide free chemo packs of things as well. Hope they are OK through it and glad they have you to help them.

Thanks so much Silkierabbit, and I hope your treatment goes well. X